The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

Zhu Di was extremely satisfied with Zhu Gaosui at this moment; this was truly his good son.

"Third brother, tell me, has second brother seen anyone recently, or has he changed at all?"

"Father, my second brother hasn't seen any strangers lately, and he hasn't changed much either."

If there are any changes, they are significant today.

I just went to see my second brother and asked him to apologize to Father, but he didn't think he had done anything wrong.

He also said he wanted to go out and take up a fiefdom, which he said was for self-preservation.

Zhu Gaosui told Zhu Di everything without any concealment about what Zhu Gaoxu had been doing recently, the people he had met, and everything he had just learned.

Zhu Gaosui knew very well that Zhu Di was suspicious at this moment. If he covered up for Zhu Gaoxu, he would only drag himself down with him.

In Zhu Gaosui's view, it was enough for Zhu Di to have one person on his mind; if two people were on his mind, there would be no one to save.

Moreover, there was nothing wrong with talking about these things, and Zhu Gaosui did not feel at all that he was betraying Zhu Gaoxu.

After all, he knew how to choose between Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Di listened quietly. He had said those things to Zhu Gaosui because he wanted to learn some things from Zhu Gaosui that he didn't know.

Zhu Di was deep in thought. He had not expected that Zhu Gaoxu would be so worried about Zhu Zhanji, but not so worried about Zhu Gaochi.

Because of this worry, he was even forced to go out and take up his fief at this time. Was he forced to do so?

How could a dignified Prince Han of the Ming Dynasty be forced to resort to such methods to protect himself by a mere child? Did Zhu Gaochi really have no involvement in this?

However, after a short while, Zhu Di seemed to have come to a realization.

Zhu Gaochi was in poor health; it was obvious to anyone with eyes that he wouldn't live much longer.

Zhu Gaoxu's lack of concern for Zhu Gaochi is actually understandable.

The concerns about Zhu Zhanji can now be understood.

If Zhu Gaochi had died young, Zhu Zhanji would have inevitably ascended to the throne, and Zhu Gaoxu would have faced the same situation he had faced with Jianwen.

It is even more complicated.

The relationship between the young, hot-blooded emperor and Zhu Gaoxu was not good to begin with. In addition, with Zhu Gaoxu's own power and what he had been doing, the civil officials were fanning the flames from the sidelines.

Thinking about all this, Zhu Di couldn't help but tremble.

Were all the things he did over the years wrong? Why did his family end up in that situation?

Even though those things didn't happen, Zhu Di couldn't help but think about them at that moment.

With his precedent, Zhu Di felt that the probability of it happening was very high.

Zhu Di felt a mix of emotions and bitterness. He was unwilling to admit it. Did he have to admit that he had done wrong all these years?

He stopped the thought in time, fearing that if he continued to think about it, it would only become more terrifying.

"Third brother, do you agree with what the second brother said? Will your eldest nephew really be unable to tolerate his own uncle in the future?"

Would sending someone to their fiefdom prevent this from happening? Is this a trumped-up charge, or is it something that could actually happen?

Zhu Di's casual question immediately calmed Zhu Gaosui down.

Zhu Gaosui knew very well that if he didn't answer these questions well, things could go wrong.

He couldn't not answer, but how should he answer? If he told Zhu Di, wouldn't he overthink it?

Zhu Di could also see Zhu Gaosui's predicament and helplessness, and said softly, "Third son, today it's just the two of us, father and son, to have a heart-to-heart talk."

Just tell me, even though I'm old, I can still tell right from wrong.

Don't try to appease me like you would the eldest and second eldest brothers, just because I'm old. Understand?

With Zhu Di's reassurance, or rather, his warning, Zhu Gaosui did not hesitate at all.

"Father, I agree with part of what my second brother said."

I do not respect my older brother, but he is the older brother after all. If it really comes to that, I won't be too worried.

But his son couldn't see through his eldest nephew and was worried about him.

However, my second brother told me that my situation is different from his. He can tolerate me, but he may not be able to tolerate my second brother.

I went to see my second brother just now, and I could sense that he was really hurt this time, which made him see many things more clearly.

It was indeed good for everyone that my second brother went to his fief.

After my second brother's persuasion, since I wasn't worried about anything, I let it go.

Zhu Gaosui ultimately did not directly reveal his conflict with Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji.

In fact, Zhu Di knew all about those things, and he knew that Zhu Di knew them all, but he just couldn't say it out loud.

He hadn't really figured it out, but he had to say it that way.

Zhu Di felt extremely gratified upon hearing Zhu Gaosui's words.

From Zhu Di's perspective, it was normal for Zhu Gaoxu to be dissatisfied, but there was no reason for Zhu Gaosui to be dissatisfied.

Moreover, Zhu Gaosui didn't have the ability to do anything; to put it bluntly, he had no choice but to submit, whether he wanted to or not.

Given the determination he showed today, it's actually a good thing that Zhu Gaosui was able to recognize his own limitations.

But Zhu Zhanji's matter was also deeply etched in his mind.

He hadn't noticed this before, nor had he thought about it in that direction.

But now that Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui have both brought it up, he has no choice but to take it seriously.

He did indeed love Zhu Zhanji, calling him his "good grandson" repeatedly, but that doesn't mean he had to abandon Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui for Zhu Zhanji's sake.

Both sides are his flesh and blood; abandoning either one would cause him unbearable pain.

Keeping these thoughts to himself, Zhu Di said softly, "Third brother, you are the most sensible. But don't worry, I will definitely not treat you unfairly."

From now on, just focus on your work. I'm here for you; things won't get chaotic, understand?

"Father, what should I do?"

Zhu Gaosui, trembling, asked Zhu Di, he really couldn't be sure if it was what he was thinking.

At this moment, he felt he was closest to that position, and he didn't want to miss such an opportunity.

Being in the imperial family, who wouldn't have those thoughts? And who would stare at that position every day without being moved by it?

Once people experience the thrill of power, they can't rationally step back from it; they all want to immerse themselves in it and crave even more power.

How many people in this world can truly remain calm and composed, with a pure and tranquil mind?

However, that thought remained buried deep in his heart, because he was the one with the least chance.

Upon hearing Zhu Gaosui's question, Zhu Di's expression immediately turned serious.

"Third brother, you are very smart and obedient, which is something that the eldest and second eldest brothers cannot match."

Now the eldest and second eldest are seriously arguing, and I'm getting old and don't have that much energy anymore.

"You're in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Keep an eye on them for me, make sure they don't commit any serious mistakes, understand?"

Zhu Gaosui was deeply moved by these calm words.

Zhu Di's words were undoubtedly an order for him to monitor Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard had been doing this all along, Zhu Di's announcement now meant that he was preparing to escalate the situation.

This shows that this incident truly caused Zhu Di great dissatisfaction.

It was applied to both Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu at the same time.

Realizing this, Zhu Gaosui's gaze burned even brighter.

Even though Zhu Gaosui tried his best to hide it, wanting to appear hesitant and pained, and not wanting to show it in front of Zhu Di.

But in front of Zhu Di, how could Zhu Gaosui's subtle expressions escape detection?